McDowell County
McDowell County is deeply rooted in North Carolina and American History and played an integral part in the NC. Gold Rush. Today, it hosts the only official NC Gold Festival each year on the first Saturday in June and welcomes people from all over the world for a day full of history, good food, family fun and, of course, GOLD!
Other sites to explore on your visit include the Historic Carson House, rich in gold history and Civil War history, and Lucky Strike Gold Mine and Campground where you can pan for your own fortune. |
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The Official North Carolina Gold Festival
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On June 1, 2019 we will celebrate AMERICA’S FIRST GOLD RUSH at the 16th Annual North Carolina Gold Festival in Old Fort. The festival is held on the banks of Mill Creek at the Mountain Gateway Museum (24 Water St, Old Fort) and downtown Old Fort. Come participate in the Rugged Nugget 5K, Explore the Gold Exhibits from Bechtler Heritage Center, Reed Gold Mine, Gold Hill, NC Gold Trail, and see the Largest Collection of Bechtler Coins Anywhere: the ‘Norman Jenkins Collection.’ The Gold Storyteller will return to weave her golden tales. about Christopher Bechtler and the historic mint site in Rutherfordton. There will be Gold and Gem Panning, Contests, Games, Face Painting, Children’s area, Live Music on 2 stages, Fantastic Food, Craft and Jewelry Vendors, Strolling Characters, NC Gold Tales Magazine will be covering the event, the NC Gold Album Showcases will take place and this year’s Headliner is Rick Scott, original member of the Super group “Alabama.”
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Mountain Gateway Museum
Gateway is the perfect word to describe this attraction. If you have ever wondered about mountain living, this is the place to experience it. The museum has exhibits showcasing the best of mountain life including music, moonshining, folk medicine and spinning and weaving. Special exhibits are on display during their annual events such as Pioneer Day, Railroad Day and, of course, the NC Gold Festival.
Historic Carson House
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The Carson House was built in 1793 and was constructed by one of the county's founding families, Colonel John Carson. The Carson family was deeply rooted in North Carolina and played prominent roles in politics and society.
The house has a rich history of famous guests, including Davy Crockett and Andrew Jackson. It served as a popular roadside inn and tavern for over a century, as it was a convenient stop for travelers between Morganton and Asheville. Today, it serves as a top tourist destination with historic reenactments, period artifacts and three floors of exhibits. |
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Lucky Strike Gold and Gem Mine
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Lucky Strike Gold and Gem Mine is a recreational mine where you can pan for gold and other gems. They are open year round and offer a variety of activities, including mining classes and techniques, gold/mineral club meetings and camping.
They have a jewelry shop onsite, a diner, an event venue, campground area and a log cabin. Lucky Strike is fun for the whole family. Come explore and spend a day or a weekend with them. Who knows, you may even strike GOLD! |